MCALESTER, Okla., Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Community leaders in McAlester, Okla., say they may have found a way to revive the Oklahoma State Penitentiary Rodeo.
The rodeo was canceled this year, which would have been its 70th anniversary, because of funding shortfalls at the prison, The Oklahoma reported.
"The whole town was saying 'this is ridiculous,' and people were clamoring for anybody to do something about it," McAlester Mayor Kevin Priddle told the newspaper.
The rodeo has been a substantial fundraiser for the local Chamber of Commerce and several other non-profit groups depend on earnings from concession sales. Cancellation of the event also hurt tourism.
Jerry Massie, spokesman for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, said prison officials would like to see a rodeo in 2011, but are concerned about the safety of the 1950s-built arena.
He said if the community were willing to provide about $66,000 to purchase construction materials for repairs, the corrections department would supply the labor.
Priddle said officials need to find out if it is legal for the city to spend money repairing a state-owned facility. He said the city wants some reassurance the investment will be a long-term one and that the rodeo won't be canceled in the near future.
Nearly 8,500 people attended rodeo events in 2009, and the rodeo grossed about $134,000, most of it required to cover expenses.
About $17,000 was spent in the local community on supplies, professional services and belt buckles and trophies for the winners. About the same amount went to non-profit groups handling concessions and program sales.
Tanaye Harvanek, chief executive officer of the local Chamber of Commerce, said it earned about $20,000 for marketing and coordinating the rodeo.
"It's evolved into a huge event," Harvanek said. UPI
